6 ideas for reviving your pub in the community

By Josh Hall

Fresh for 2015

Pubs are having a very hard time. One recent report suggested that the UK has lost 21,000 pubs since 1980 - and half of those closures have happened since 2006.

While it looks like the closure rate may have peaked, the future of the
pub
is far from certain. What was once an important pillar of every town and
village has become increasingly marginalised by the triple threats of
chain establishments, cheap supermarket alcohol, and the economic
downturn. So, as a publican, what can you do return your establishment
to its rightful place in the heart of the community?

1. Partner with other pubs

Chances are, many other pubs in your area will be struggling to come up
with ways to draw in more punters. Instead of competing with them, why
not form a partnership?

You could organise a ‘pub crawl’ between a few of the other local pubs,
perhaps offering a discount for participants. There have also been
instances where a few pubs in an area have decided to group together,
and for all but one to close on certain quieter nights of the week.
Drinkers are then directed to the open pub.

While this might seem like a drastic measure, many have found that it
has significantly improved their bottom line on quiet nights –
particularly in towns and villages with a high concentration of pubs.

2. Launch a cafe

If your pub is very quiet during the day, consider ways that you can
encourage new customers. Many self-employed
people, and those who work remotely, want to work in comfortable
surroundings during the day – or simply relax somewhere quiet. Think
about serving hot drinks and light sandwiches to entice these people in.
You might also want to consider offering free wi-fi to lure in the
laptop crowd.

It can be difficult to achieve this without attracting the ire of your
regulars. You might want to think about designating a specific area of
the pub as a ‘cafe’ during the day so that
regulars can continue to drink uninterrupted.

3. Make your pub approachable

Many pubs in towns, whether justifiably or not, garner a reputation for
being unfriendly or threatening. If there is a misconception about your
pub amongst the local population, you will need to work hard to rectify
it.

Consider running some community events to encourage families and older
patrons back into your pub. These groups are often the key to success –
not least because they tend to be the biggest spenders.

If you have garden space, think about running a weekend fair. If you
have pool tables, consider running a tournament. Make use of what you
have, to encourage punters to feel welcome.

4. Embrace new methods

Sometimes, gimmicks work. Publicans are traditionally reticent to adopt
new technologies, but often they can help to boost business.

A particularly good example is the recent emergence of on-table beer
taps. Instead of going to the bar, customers can pull their own pints at
the table – or have a dispensing machine do it for them. This saves you
time and work, and gives your pub a unique feature and talking point.
Even better, customers tend to spend significantly more with these
machines than they would otherwise.

These machines can be expensive, but they are likely to be paid off
relatively quickly. Banks are also becoming less reticent to lend, so
now may be a good time to make the investment.

5. Run regular events

The pub quiz is something of a cliché now. But, as is so often the case,
it is only a cliché because it is popular. A good, regular pub quiz can
help to bring in punters on what would otherwise be quiet nights. These
new customers are also far more likely to pay you a visit during other
times.

Of course, you need not choose a pub quiz. As long as an event is well
run and appealing to punters, you can let your imagination run riot.

6. Live music

Live music is a perennial favourite in pubs. If you have some space in a
corner (or, even better, a small stage), why not invite some local bands
to come and play?

Many bands will bring a crowd, and they are likely to be ready for a
party. Amateur bands will often play for very little money – or, indeed,
just for drinks. Try to fit the type of music to your customers, perhaps
asking them what their preference would be first.

If you are considering live music, you should check the terms of your
licence. You may need to apply for permission from the council before
proceeding.

The UK’s pubs are in pretty poor economic shape. Closures, changes in
family life, reduced customer spend and the potential for a duty
increase have all combined to create a pretty bleak outlook. But there
will always be a place for the pub in British culture. With a bit of
creative thinking you can help to ensure that your establishment remains
profitable, and remains firmly at the heart of the community.